Bible Verses About Leadership

29 verses in the King James Version (KJV) and the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

The Bible's view of leadership turns many assumptions upside down. The greatest leader, Jesus said, is the one who serves. These verses speak to anyone responsible for others, whether a manager, pastor, coach, parent, or team captain. They cover integrity, seeking wise counsel, caring for people rather than lording over them, and the weight of being trusted with much. Read them before a big meeting, a hard decision, or the start of a new role.

Mark 10:43

KJV

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
BSB

But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
Mark 10:44

KJV

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
BSB

and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all.
Mark 10:45

KJV

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
BSB

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:26

KJV

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
BSB

It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
Proverbs 11:14

KJV

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
BSB

For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.
Proverbs 15:22

KJV

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
BSB

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 29:2

KJV

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
BSB

When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Proverbs 16:12

KJV

It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
BSB

Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
Proverbs 20:28

KJV

Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
BSB

Loving devotion and faithfulness preserve a king; by these he maintains his throne.
Proverbs 27:23

KJV

Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
BSB

Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds;
1 Timothy 3:2

KJV

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
BSB

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
1 Timothy 4:12

KJV

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
BSB

Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Titus 1:7

KJV

For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
BSB

As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.
1 Peter 5:2

KJV

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
BSB

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
1 Peter 5:3

KJV

Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
BSB

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Philippians 2:3

KJV

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
BSB

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
Philippians 2:4

KJV

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
BSB

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Exodus 18:21

KJV

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
BSB

Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
Joshua 1:9

KJV

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
BSB

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Romans 12:8

KJV

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
BSB

if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Hebrews 13:7

KJV

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
BSB

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:17

KJV

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
BSB

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
James 3:1

KJV

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
BSB

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Micah 6:8

KJV

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
BSB

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Luke 12:48

KJV

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
BSB

But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.
2 Samuel 23:3

KJV

The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
BSB

The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
John 13:14

KJV

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
BSB

So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
John 13:15

KJV

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
BSB

I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.
Acts 20:28

KJV

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
BSB

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

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